Notice: add_option was called with an argument that is deprecated since version 2.3.0 with no alternative available. in /home/nekillpa/public_html/backpackingsamurai.com/wp-includes/functions.php on line 4025Accessories | Backpacking Samurai

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Are you interested in backpacking, but not willing to commit a large amount of money upfront until you know you are going to like it? Are you on strict budget? If you answered yes to either of these questions, this article will hopefully help you to see that you don’t need to spend a small fortune to get into this great hobby. Below, I will go over some of my favorite low cost (but still high quality) gear to consider.

For the sake of this article, we will assume you have no backpacking gear. That means you will need to buy a backpack, tent, sleeping bag, and other items to keep you going, less the consumables (food, fuel, etc). Let’s say you have a strict budget of $300 to get all the gear you need to go on a summer weekend (3 day, 2 night) backpacking trip that is more or less on a flat trail.

Here is a breakdown of the items, and below will be more details of the gear choices:

Backpack – $115

[amazon_link id=”B009R4CV3E” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ][/amazon_link]For the backpack, the Kelty Coyote 80 [amazon_link id=”B009R4CV3E” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]can be picked up off of Amazon currently for $115[/amazon_link]. That is a great deal for a backpack that boasts 78 Liters (4750 cubic inches) of interior space. This is more than large enough for a 3 day excursion. It is more suited for a longer trip, but at that price point, it’s hard to pass this deal up. Additional features in this pack include:

Bag Features:

Top loading

420-denier polyester Ball Shadow body fabric

420-denier polyester Oxford reinforcement fabric

Hydration compatible

Reservoir sleeve

Front-panel access

Zippered side pockets

Mesh water bottle pockets

Side compression straps

Load stabilizer straps

Spindrift collar

Ice-axe loops

Daisy chain

Key fob

Zippered waist belt pockets

Lid converts into lumbar pack

Carry handle

Suspension Features:

CloudLock II adjustable suspension

LightBeam II dual aluminum stays

HDPE frame sheet

Removable HDPE reinforced dual density waist belt

Padded shoulder straps

Ventilating back panel

Load-lifter/stabilizer straps

Sternum strap

Patented Scherer Cinch

Specifications:

Capacity: 4,750 cubic inches (78-liters)

Weight: 5 lb. 9 oz.

Measures 16 x 34 x 16.5 inches (W x H x D)

Highlights of the Kelty Coyote 80 backpack are the price point, the capacity, removable waist belt and lid (converts into hip pack), and construction. The pack is on the heavy side at 5 pounds 9 ounces empty, but as long as it isn’t over packed for a 3 day trip, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Tent – $110

[amazon_link id=”B0043HH5CW” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ][/amazon_link]The tent of choice is the Eureka! Apex 2XT tent. This is a lightweight 2 person backpacking tent that is also a very palatable price right around a hundred bucks. We chose the Apex 2XT tent because of the price, as well as a few features, such as: the 2 door design with 2 vestibules totaling 27 additional square feet, solid construction, and light weight (6 pounds 5 ounces). Here are some additional features and specifications:

Seasons: 3

Sleeps: 2

Floor dimensions: 7′ 6″ by 4′ 11″

Center height: 3′ 10″

Minimum weight: 6 pounds, 5 ounces

Frame: Freestanding, shock-corded fiberglass

Vestibule: 2, with 13.8 square feet of storage each

Storage pockets: 2 mesh

Clothes line loops: 4

Flashlight loop: Yes

Warranty: Lifetime

This is great tent, and for the price, you won’t be disappointed. [amazon_link id=”B0043HH5CW” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Pick yours up today[/amazon_link].

Sleeping Bag – $40

[amazon_link id=”B006WPZBA6″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ][/amazon_link]Since this is a summer trip, we can get away with suggesting a summer sleeping bag. And that is completely fair, because if you are new to backpacking, you probably don’t want to get into a cold weather trip right off the bat because you might ruin your outlook on the hobby. Start with a mild, warm weather trip to see if you like it first, then as you get more experience and become more adventurous, expand. Back to the sleeping bag of choice – [amazon_link id=”B006WPZBBA” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Ledge Sports Featherlite 20 degree ultra light sleeping bag[/amazon_link].

The price is right at $40, and the weight is also a bonus coming in at 3.4 pounds. This sleeping bag is nice because is compresses well and takes up minimal room. It is a synthetic fill sleeping bag, so even if it gets wet, it should keep you warm down to 30 degrees or so. It also comes with a stuff sack. Pick up one of these affordable 3 season sleeping bags today!

Food and Water Prep – $35

For cooking your food, this [amazon_link id=”B000P9IR8I” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]stainless steel mess kit[/amazon_link] is just right. It offers a frying pan, pot, two lids (plates) and a plastic 8 ounce cup. At just over $10, all you need to have is a bed of hot coals and you can cook food or heat water.

[amazon_link id=”B004DZMD08″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ][/amazon_link]As for purifying your water, the [amazon_link id=”B004DZMD08″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Seychelle 28 ounce flip top water filter bottle[/amazon_link] is a high quality option that is affordable ($25). It removes 99.99% of bacteria, virus, contaminants, and pollutants from water. It can filter up to 100 gallons of water, depending on the quality of the water (dirtier water = less filtering capacity). It weighs just 11 ounces and you can fill it up from any body of water along the trail.

The Bottom Line

If you are just getting into backpacking, and you are worried that you won’t like it, it doesn’t make sense to spend a ton of money on gear. I can tell you that if you like nature, exercise, the outdoors, and camping in general, you are going to absolutely love backpacking. But keeping your start-up costs low just in case you don’t is a good idea. The nice thing about all of these items is that they could all be sold used to recoup most of your money if you decide you don’t like backpacking. Another nice thing about all of these items is that if you do like backpacking, they are high quality products that you will be able to enjoy for a long time.

Use this list to find the right gear for your needs. This is just a list of the most essential gear items. I didn’t include hiking boots because they require such a specialized fit and vary greatly in price. For a flat 3 day hiking trip, sturdy tennis shoes should be alright. Other items might include a good flashlight, first aid kit, survival kit, GPS, fitted hiking boots, multi-tool or pocket knife, and a sleeping pad. They will greatly increase your comfort and safety in the backcountry. As always, happy trails!

Do you agree with this list? What would be your $300 starting setup? Leave a comment below. Thanks!

When it comes to compact, portable multi-tools on the market today, it is hard to compete with the Leatherman Juice or Squirt lines. CRKT has released a new take on the small multi-tool, the CRKT Guppie. My first glance at the CRKT Guppie left me shocked, as I have never seen a multi-tool this size based around an adjustable wrench. The idea is different than the traditional multi-tool idea of building the tool around a set of pliers or scissors. Was it a good idea? Read on for my in depth review of the CRKT Guppie and the additional Eat’N tool that came with my combo double pack.

Adjustable Wrench

Opened Wrench

Starting at the top of the features list is the adjustable wrench. The idea of having a portable adjustable wrench built into a small multi-tool is fantastically novel. Capable of opening up to 1/2”, the adjustable wrench offers the ability to tackle most small scale jobs. My Guppie has no problem gripping the nut securely, contrary to a lot of complaints. The main issue I have with the wrench is the shape. If the nut is not fully exposed, it is difficult to reach it. There also isn’t a whole lot of handle to grip to generate leverage with. For most jobs requiring an adjustable wrench, this one will work fine. Remember that this is a pocket multi-tool, and is designed to give you options while away from your shop and other tools. In a pinch, the Guppie wrench is better than the alternatives (ie hauling a large set of adjustable wrenches everywhere you go or having none). This nice feature might interest you if you an avid mountain biker.

Blade

Blade

The folding blade is a tool usually found on every multi-tool iteration out there. The 2 inch folding blade made of 2CR13 steel is hollow ground to a drop point, and is not serrated. I like the fact that the Guppie has a blade. I like to have backups with every carry system that I employ, and the blade on the Guppie gives me a backup blade. But that being said, the blade on this tool is just that – a backup. There is no locking mechanism with the blade, making it a little sketchy to use. Just the way you have to grip the tool to cut anything wraps your fingers underneath the blade. I found the blade to be sturdy and durable, but the edge left something to be desired of a blade out of the box. It wasn’t completely dull like other reviewers have said, but I needed to sharpen it to give it a decent edge. Time will tell how the blade holds an edge. As with the adjustable wrench, having a blade when you need it is better than not having one at all, and this tool gives you a nice, sturdy (even without the lock) 2 inch blade.

Bit Driver

Driver

Having removable driver bits is another idea that I think is fantastic for a small multi-tool. Most other multi-tools have a Phillips and flat head driver built in, but you are left with the one size. I have also found that with the Phillips head screw drivers on Swiss Army knives and Leatherman tools I own, they get stripped out with minimal use and you are left with a Phillips head driver that is ineffective. With the Guppie, simply replace the Phillips head driver bit with a new one. The bit carrier is held to the main Guppie tool by a strong magnet. Some reviewers have said it doesn’t stay attached while in a pocket or bag, but I haven’t had any issues with this at all. The bit carrier holds 4 standard hex bits, so you can mix and match your own (star driver, square, Phillips, and flat head).

Bit Carrier and Light

The carrier has a lanyard hole on one end (which makes it easy to carry the bit carrier separate), and has a small LED light built in the other end. The light is powered by 2 CR97 batteries and features 1 small LED bulb. The light isn’t terribly bright, but it is now the only multi-tool that I own that has the option of a light. This has been a gripe of mine for a long time. I said above that I like to have backups, and several times when I have needed a light, I have either forgotten my every-day carry light but had my multi-tool. This little light is a pleasant feature, and a much needed backup.

Carabiner Bottle Opener

Carabiner Bottle Opener

The carabiner bottle opener is a simple feature, also one that is incorporated in just about every multi-tool out there. I have never had much use for this feature, but if you need the assistance of a bottle opener after a long hike, whip out your Guppie and there it is.

CRKT Eat’N Tool

My Guppie came in a combo pack with the Eat’N tool. It boasts the following features and dimensions:

Spork

Metric 10mm, 8mm, and 6mm wrench cutouts

Flat head screwdriver/pry tip

Bottle cap lifter

Small pocket carabiner

3CR13 Stainless steel

1.5 ounces

4 inches long

The idea of a spork with additional tools built in is innovative. I have used this spork in the backcountry, and its weight allows me to pack it on ultra-light trips without hesitation. The ‘spoon’ part could be more concave, as it seems that it is a little shallow as far as spoons go. The ‘fork’ prongs are a little bit too blunt and thick, limiting their ability to grip food. One thing I noticed about the fork prongs is that if they were sharper and longer, carrying this tool in your pocket wouldn’t be very comfortable, and is probably why it was designed the way it was.

The handle is a little shorter than I would like it to be. This either limits the reach you have for food in a container or guarantees that your fingers will be swimming in your food. In the backcountry, this isn’t a huge concern since I usually skimp on fancy cutlery in order to save weight and space in my pack. Having anything at all to eat my food with other than my fingers is a luxury I never had before this tool.

I don’t see myself ever using the other features on the Eat’N tool, except for maybe the pry feature (for prying open a can of tuna while on the trail, for example). I usually don’t use a conventional camp stove in the backcountry, I use a homemade alcohol stove (ultra light). I assume the metric wrench cutouts will fit most nuts on stoves for backcountry repairs, but I would imagine if my camp stove broke or went out in the field, I would cook over an open fire or eat my food cold before attempting a bush-fix with pressurized fuels.

Backcountry Samurai Thoughts

The CRKT Guppie and Eat’N tool fared well with my backcountry testing. While some of the tools weren’t that useful for my activities, other outdoor activities might find more utility out of them. The ideas and innovation on the Guppie and Eat’N tool introduced new features that I haven’t seen on other traditional multi-tools, and this is a nod to the engineers and CRKT. The price is in line with the features offered, and I would say this multi-tool set is of much better quality and usefulness than other similarly priced multi-tools. Overall, I think the idea of building a small, compact multi-tool around the framework of an adjustable wrench (or in the case of the Eat’N tool, a spork) works.

Weighing just over 4 ounces (similar to the Leatherman Juice S2’s weight of 4.4 ounces), the Guppie is a good addition to any outdoorsman’s loadout. The Eat’N tool comes in even lighter, and offers some usefulness to backpacking that I haven’t found with any other multi-tool. Remember that these tools offer additional options. As long as you aren’t expecting the Guppie blade to be your primary backcountry blade, or the LED light on the bit carrier to be your primary camping light, but rather backups, these tools will offer value to your outdoor experience. Click on the following link to purchase your CRKT Guppie multi-tool or CRKT Eat’N tool today!

When it comes to headlamps, Petzl makes some of the finest on the market today. Every backpacker needs a good quality headlamp, especially when arriving in camp late in the day with sunlight fading. Setting up camp in the dark can be a pain. A bright, lightweight, high quality headlamp is worth its weight in gold in the backcountry. The Petzl Tikka line of headlamps offers something for everyone – from value to high performance. There are 6 versions of the Tikka headlamp in the Universal Headlamp section from Petzl. Below, we will compare the features and highlights from the different models.

Petzl Tikkina 2

[amazon_link id=”B0027GVIOW” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ][/amazon_link]The Tikkina 2 is the value model in this line. Weighing only 80g, the Tikkina 2 is lightweight, multifunctional, and will get the job done on backpacking excursions. The LED light bulbs and easy to manipulate push button switches make switching from maximum to eco modes simple and efficient. At maximum mode, 23 lumens illuminate up to 23 meters of terrain. 3 alkaline AAA/LRO3 batteries have a max life of 190 hours of use in the Tikkina 2, which is stellar efficiency for a headlamp. Click the following link to purchase your Petzl Tikkina 2 today.

Petzl Tikka 2

[amazon_link id=”B0027GTFO2″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ][/amazon_link]A step up from the Tikkina 2, the Petzl Tikka 2 headlamp offers additional features at a small increase in price. Three lighting modes (maximum, eco, and strobe), coupled with four highly efficient LED bulbs provide you with more options. Lithium batteries power this headlamp, which are lighter than their alkaline counterparts, and perform better at lower temperatures. The Tikka 2 is capable of delivering 40 lumens (in maximum mode), which is capable of illuminating up to 29 meters of terrain. The maximum battery life of 120 hours in eco mode is highly efficient, and the strobe feature is impressive at this price point. Click the following link to purchase your Petzl Tikka 2 today.

Petzl Tikka 2 Core

[amazon_link id=”B004GAQKMC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ][/amazon_link]The Petzl Tikka 2 Core headlamp system is a light that is designed for regular use. The rechargeable Lithium Ion Polymer battery core can be recharged up to 300 times, and a software package allows you to customize how you use the battery and lighting modes throughout the day. While this system might seem more complicated for backpackers than is needed, the rechargeable nature of the battery pack saves money in the long run. The Tikka 2 Core utilizes four LED bulbs which can operate three lighting modes (max, eco, and strobe). At maximum output, 35 lumens are supplied out to a distance of 29 meters. The Core system comes with a wall USB charging platform and software package to customize the lighting you need throughout your day. This is a high-quality headlamp, which is similar to the Petzl XP Core 2 below, and is an excellent choice for regular backpackers and outdoorsmen alike. Click the following link to purchase your Petzl Tikka 2 Core today.

Petzl Tikka Plus 2

[amazon_link id=”B0027H0IME” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ][/amazon_link]The Petzl Tikka Plus 2 headlamp has many of the features of the above mentioned models, but adds a red LED bulb with two more lighting modes. The red bulb offers continuous or strobe, and the high output white LED bulb offers maximum, eco, and strobe. The max illumination output for the Tikka Plus 2 is 50 lumens out to 35 meters. The eco mode for the white bulb lasts 140 hours, which is highly efficient. You have the option of using 3 alkaline AAA/LRO3 batteries or lighter weight lithium batteries with this headlamp. The red bulb allows for lighting with night vision, and is a very useful feature. Click the following link to purchase your Petzl Tikka Plus 2 today.

Petzl Tikka XP 2

[amazon_link id=”B0027GXC96″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ][/amazon_link]The Petzl Tikka XP 2 headlamp is similar to the Tikka Plus 2, but adds a very unique feature – the addition of a wide angle lens. This lens allows you to focus the beam down for spotlighting, or widen the beam for floodlighting. This feature is very helpful to backpackers who are traversing rough terrain in failing sunlight. There are five lighting modes, with three from the high-output white LED bulb (max, eco, and strobe) and two from the red LED bulb (continuous and strobe). The Tikka XP 2 delivers 60 lumens out to a distance of 60 meters in maximum mode, and is very efficient with a max battery life of 160 hours in eco mode. Lithium batteries can be utilized with this model for lighter weight and better performance in cold weather, as well as alkaline AAA/LRO3 batteries. Click the below link to purchase your Petzl Tikka XP 2 today.

Petzl Tikka XP Core 2

[amazon_link id=”B007RG3KZW” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ][/amazon_link]The Petzl Tikka XP Core 2 headlamp is designed for intense outdoor use. With similar features of the XP 2 above, this model adds the rechargeable Lithium Ion Polymer Core battery pack and software system for extreme life and customization. The core battery pack can be recharged up to 300 times while keeping its efficiency. This will replace 900 AAA alkaline batteries over the life of the rechargeable pack. USB connectivity allows you to charge your headlamp with most cell phone, iPod, and other USB power packs. With the included software, you can customize your battery life and output to be whatever you need while on the trail. The Tikka XP Core 2 headlamp is for serious outdoor expeditions, and is one of the best headlamp options on the market today. Click the below link to purchase your Petzl Tikka XP Core 2 today.

Backpacking Samurai Thoughts

Headlamps are essential pieces of gear in the backcountry. Petzl makes some of the best headlamps on the market today. They are not only loaded with features, but they come in at different price points. This allows almost every backpacker out there to find one that fits their budget. The six models of headlamps in the Tikka line described above can be broken down like this:

Petzl Tikkina 2 – functional weekend warrior

Petzl Tikka 2 – functional weekend warrior with more lumens

Petzl Tikka 2 Core – regular use rechargeable

Petzl Tikka Plus 2 – extra features with still more lumens

Petzl Tikka XP 2 – focus beam with even still more lumens

Petzl Tikka XP Core 2 – intense use adventurer

Depending on your intended use and your budget, choosing a headlamp from Petzl’s Tikka line is a wise choice. Click on any of the links in the article to purchase one today for your next backpacking trip. Don’t be left out in the dark – get a Petzl Tikka headlamp now.